Stethoscope



(No Model.)

A. R. MITCHELL.

STBTHOISGOPB.

No, 555,522. Patented Mar.3, 1896.

UNITED STATES PATENT CEEICE.

ALBERT R. MITCHELL, OF LINCOLN, NEBRASKA.

STETHOSCOPEl SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 555,522, dated March 3, 1896.

Applicatififild April 20, 1895.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALBERT R. MITcHELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lin= coln, in the county of Lancaster and State of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stethoscopes, of which the following is a specification.

The objects of my invention are, first, to increase the intensity or clearness of the sounds or vibrations conveyed by a stethoscope from the patient to the physician or examiner, and, second, to so support the stethoscope that the hands of the examiner may be free to produce the percussions so often necessary to a proper use of the instrument. These objects I attain by providing a frame adapted to be applied to the head of the physician or examiner, and to be connected with a stethoscope of suitable construction in such manner that the stethoscope, which is partially supported by the earpieces, may be sustained by the frame, leaving the hands of the examiner free for producing percussions or for other purposes, and thus affording a direct unobstructed connection between the patient and the head of the examiner, the earpieces conveying the sounds to the ears, while the frame conveys the sounds or vibrations to the skull, and thence to the brain.

The accompanying drawing shows a perspective view of a stethoscope with my improvements applied.

The stethoscope A is of usual well-known construction, the flaring end piece a being provided with flexible branch tubes a, terminating in earpieces a a spring a being interposed between the branches, permitting them to be spread apart and to contract when applied to the ears.

The frame B comprises a head-band b and a rod b. The head-band b is provided at each end with a plate 6 b The band may be made of spring metal, such as steel, while the plates are preferably made of aluminium, the front one, 19 being adapted to rest against the forehead of the physician or examiner,

serialflofieaelt. (NomodeL) while the rear plate rests against the back of the head.

The rod 7) has a swivel or flexible connection Z1 with the front of the head-frame B, and it also has a flexible connection with a clamp-ring b encircling the front a of the instrument. A set-screw b may be employed to adjust the connection of the rod 6 with the instrument and to make it rigid and permanent. The rod b is preferably made of steel and is stiff and rigid.

By my improvements the instrument may be supported from the head of the examiner without the use of his hands, the intervention of a third person, or the use of other supporting means. It may be moved from place to place while on the head of the examiner, and by moving his head he may transfer it from one place to another on the body of the patient. Only the sounds of the circulation, &c., from the patient will be communicated to the examiner, and these sounds pass not only through the tubes, but also along the rod Z), the frame thus performing the double function of both supporting the stethoscope proper and also aiding in conveying sounds from the patient to the examiner.

I claim as my invention-- 1. The combination of a stethoscope, comprising the front piece, the branch tubes and the earpieces, and a frame comprising a headband, provided with front and rear plates and a rod connecting the head-band with the forward end of the stethoscope.

2. The combination of the stethoscope, the head-band, the rod flexibly connected with the head-band, and a flexible, adjustable connection between the front end of the rod and the forward end of the stethoscope.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

ALBERT R. MITCHELL.

Witnesses:

KATIE CARVETH, STEPHEN L. GEIsTIIARnT. 

